Learn About Loons

Loons are considered one of the most primitive birds on earth. They have not changed from their current form for the last one million years. The first loon relative appeared about 25 million years ago and measured about six feet from beak to tail. There are five species of loons in the world: Common Loon (Gavia immer), Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica), Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica), and the Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). Only the Common Loon breeds in the lower 48 states and usually nests on inland lakes.

LoonWatch focuses on the protection of common loons and their aquatic habitats through education, monitoring, and research.

Loon Artificial Nesting Platforms—Determine if your lake is a good candidate for a nesting platform and find out what you need to do to acquire a permit or notify the Wisconsin DNR about your platform project.

Amazing! A banded loon was admitted to Northwoods Animal Hospital with 2 hooks and 100 feet of braided line. They were able to remove the hooks & line endoscopically with the help of a local gastroenterologist. The lesson here - please don't fish near loons - spread the word!

Lake Superior Extreme Sports on WOJB

Oct 22, 2013

Location Information8:30 a.m. @ WOJB-88.9 FM

Every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. Lissa Radke at SOEI hosts a live radio program about Lake Superior called "Big Sea Shining Water" in partnership with WOJB community radio station (88.9 FM). On Tues., Oct. 22 she will talk with Dr. Randy Carlson, a professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth about his participation in extreme sports around the lake—surfing, windsailing, SUP, and whitewater kayaking over the cliffs of northern Minnesota. Listen live online at www.wojb.org.

Ways to Support LoonWatch

Supporting LoonWatch can include donating your photography, volunteering to be a citizen scientist for research projects, giving a cash donation that ensure LoonWatch will be here to help loons thrive in the Northwoods. For more information, please contact Erica LeMoine at (715) 682-1220 or email at loonwatch@northland.edu.